Intermediate temperature fuel cells based on doped ceria-LiCl-SrCl2 composite electrolyte

• Published in: Journal of power sources 2002-01, Vol.104 (1), p.73-78
• Main Authors: FU, Q. X, ZHA, S. W, ZHANG, W, PENG, D. K, MENG, G. Y, ZHU, B
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; composite electrolyte; conduction; electrical conductivity; Energy; Energy. Thermal use of fuels; Equipments for energy generation and conversion: thermal, electrical, mechanical energy, etc; Exact sciences and technology; Fuel cells; GDC-LiCl-SrCl2; intermediate temperature fuel cells; li2so4; nacl; operation; proton; solid electrolytes
• ISSN: 0378-7753; 1873-2755; 1873-2755
• DOI: 10.1016/S0378-7753(01)00874-6

A new type of oxide-salt composite electrolyte, gadolinium-doped ceria (GDC)-LiCl-SrCl2, was developed and demonstrated its promising use for intermediate temperature (400-700 degreesC) fuel cells (ITFCs). The dc electrical conductivity of this composite electrolyte (0.09-0.13 S cm(-1) at 500-650 degreesC) was 3-10 times higher than that of the pure GDC electrolyte, indicating remarkable proton or oxygen ion conduction existing in the LiCl-SrCl2 chloride salts or at the interface between GDC and the chloride salts. Using this composite electrolyte, peak power densities of 260 and 510 mW cm(-2), with current densities of 650 and 1250 mA cm(-2) were achieved at 550 and 625 degreesC, respectively. This makes the new material a good candidate electrolyte for future low-cost ITFCs.